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9 Things You Never Knew About Cannabis Tinctures

Cannabis tinctures are quickly becoming the go-to delivery method for a lot of people.

Cannabis tinctures are one of the best, most underrated delivery methods for cannabis. They provide a fast and efficient dosage of medicine with minimal effort.

And although tinctures date back well before the pre-Prohibition era, they are an unfamiliar delivery method for most people.

If you’re interested in learning more about this healthier ingestion method, here are 9 things you need to know about cannabis tinctures.

#1) Tinctures are an age-old remedy

Did you know tinctures were the primary form of pain relief before aspirin? In fact, cannabis tinctures were extremely popular before cannabis prohibition.

Cannabis infused extracts (tinctures) were listed in the U.S. Pharmacopeia as a treatment for several conditions including: tetanus, gout, tonsillitis, alcoholism, menstrual cramps, cholera, arthritis, and many others.

#2) Tinctures provide dosage control

Cannabis tinctures are usually taken by placing a few drops under the tongue (sublingually). This method is great for those who need a rapid dose of medicine.

The infusion is immediately absorbed into the arterial system, making its way to the brain and body.

This makes dosing a breeze. Simply use a few drops and wait for the desired effects to take place. If more medicine is needed, additional drops can be added.

However, always start slow and move your dosage up with time.

#3) Look for tinctures with MCT oil

All tinctures use to be made with alcohol, which is a great solvent for cannabis except that it can be very harsh on the throat and stomach and is simply not ideal for a lot of patients, says Alison Ettel of TreatWell Health – a leading tincture producer in California.

And then people started making glycerin tinctures, and the only problem there is that glycerin does not bind well with the cannabinoids and has a very short shelf life.

This is why most tincture manufacturers – like TreatWell – have switched over to MCT oil for a very good reason.

“I have found it to be the absolute best possible option of both worlds,” Ettel says. “MCT by itself is very nutritious and quick to absorb, very fast-acting.”

MCT stands for medium-chain triglycerides, and it’s basically a fractionated coconut oil where the long-chain fatty acids have been removed.

“The one thing that we found is that the molecule size is very compatible with cannabis, which means that if an MCT tincture is done correctly your first drop is going to have the same amount of cannabinoids as your last,” Ettel explains.

This is a huge benefit that you simply don’t get it with alcohol or glycerin-based tinctures.

#4) Tinctures give you different cannabinoid options

What do you want to use your tincture for exactly? Are you targeting a specific condition or ailment? Maybe you want to use your tincture for preventative health or for adult-use?

One of the cool things about cannabis legalization is that it gives us access to many different types of tinctures – both psychoactive and non-psychoactive.

You can find THC-dominant tinctures. Or CBD tinctures, and even tinctures with the acidic cannabinoids THCA and CBDA.

All of these tinctures have different uses and benefits.

“We’ve got a new one coming out that is going to be 30 percent CBDA, THCA, CBD, and 10 percent THC – which means it’s the closest thing you can get to juicing two different cannabis plants together,” Ettel says, adding that combos like this make a great supplement for preventative health.

#5) Tinctures make a great topical

Most cannabis topicals have a lot of filler and a very low percentage of cannabinoids. Not the case with tinctures.

“I love that you can use tinctures for topicals and put them directly on your skin,” Ettel says.

“You have to be careful obviously what tincture you’re using and what ingredients have been put in there, but ours are great, especially with the MCT oil which absorbs right through your skin – so you’re getting better results with less.”

We can also use tinctures topically for sprains or bruising – the acid cannabinoids (THCA and CBDA) especially take down bruising, Ettel adds

And what a lot of people don’t know is that THCA helps with sunburns – any burn, Ettel continues. You can use it topically and it takes away the burn and helps heal it in a fraction amount of the time.

“I also use the acid cannabinoids on my face every day. It helps with cell regeneration, and so it brings down the redness in your face and is really good for your skin,” she says.

“You can use tinctures for pain, for skin conditions like psoriasis – you name it. Really incredible things topically that people just don’t usually know.”

Want to get the absolute most out of cannabis?

#6) Tinctures are discreet

Need a low-key method for taking your medicine? Tinctures are inconspicuous. Unlike smoking a pipe or burning a joint, tinctures do not produce an odor.

So there’s no need to worry about finding a place to consume. Simply place a few drops under your tongue and you’re set.

Tinctures also don’t have a noticeable odor when stored, so you can easily carry it with you on the go.

Additionally, you can insert your tincture solution into gel capsules – which is what a lot of patients do when the dropper is not an option. Just keep in mind that swallowing your tincture as opposed to dropping it under the tongue basically turns it into an edible.

#7) Tinctures are low calorie

If you like edibles, infused desserts are no doubt delicious. Yet, they can also pack on the pounds if you’re not careful. A cannabis-infused brownie can contain up to 150 calories or more!

Tinctures offer a low-calorie alternative if you prefer to ingest your cannabis in this method and want to watch your weight.

#8) Tinctures offer efficient cannabinoid and terpene absorption

When you take your tinctures sublingually as opposed to ingesting this gets the medicine directly into your bloodstream.

As a result, the effects can usually be felt within as little as fifteen minutes and last two to three hours. And if the tincture is well-made, you’ll get a much more efficient cannabinoids/terpene absorption rate than any other consumption method.

Keep in mind that results do vary. Always check the potency before dosing. Start with a few drops initially and work your way up.

The information on this site is provided as an information resource only, and is not to be used or relied on for any diagnostic or treatment purposes, and should not be used as a substitute for professional diagnosis and treatment.